Ohio State Band Instructor Charged With Rape and Kidnapping Student

The drum major instructor for the Ohio State University marching band appeared in court for charges of kidnapping and raping a student.

It's the Ohio State University Marching Band known as the 'best damn band in the land.'

Now, another scandal is shaking the band.

One drum major instructor is facing rape and kidnapping charges.

Watch: Watch Cops Handcuff this Mom while She Begs them to Find her Kidnapped Son

Cops say 28-year-old Stewart Kitchen invited an Ohio State University student home for a drink and then forced her to have sex. He appeared in a Columbus courtroom today and will plead not guilty.

The drum major is the heart and soul of a marching band. Stewart Kitchen was named drum major at OSU in 2006 and 2007. He later returned to OSU as an instructor.



"The university is deeply concerned," Ohio State University said in a statement.

Columbus police sergeant David Pelfrey says Stewart Kitchen used his position on the band to approach the alleged victim.

He told INSIDE EDITION, "His position in the band is that of working with the field commander and the people who want to be drum majors. We believe he recruited her, approached her, and told her that this might be something she would be good at."

This isn't the first time the celebrated band has faced serious allegations. In 2014, an internal investigation found that the band was afflicted with a culture of hazing and sexually charged inappropriate behavior.

Read: Allegations of 'Sexual Culture' Rock Ohio State Marching Band

The band's director, Jon Waters, was fired after being caught on tape cursing at a member of the band last year, saying, "Now, this will not stand. We tell you to stand on your head, and as drum major you'll stand on your [expletive] head if you want to be drum major."

He appeared on INSIDE EDITION to defend himself.

He told INSIDE EDITION, "My firing was a tremendous rush to judgement and it was an assault on the students."

Now come new allegations against the drum major instructor.

Pelfrey told INSIDE EDITION, "She is a very brave and courageous woman for coming forward and addressing this."

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